EV fast charging stations to be installed at toll plazas along the Bengaluru-Pune highway
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) plans to set up fast charging stations at toll plazas along the NH-48 (Bengaluru-Pune) section within Karnataka, which will be a relief for EV owners.
Bescom officials have proposed to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) that charging stations be installed at ten toll plazas. The initiative aims to provide EV owners traveling on the busy Bengaluru-Pune highway with convenient and accessible charging infrastructure.
“We have decided to install two charging stations equipped with 120 KW CCS2 EV fast chargers at each toll plaza,” Sreenath K, deputy general manager (electric vehicles), Bescom told Moneycontrol.
He stated that a proposal for charging stations at toll plazas in Tumakuru, Hiriyur, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Belagavi, and other locations has been submitted to NHAI. “Once we receive approval, we will proceed with setting up the charging units,” Sreenath said.
Because charging stations are secure, Bescom decided to install them at toll plazas. “Toll plazas provide adequate lighting and security, removing the need for motorists to charge their vehicles in remote, poorly lit areas. This will also relieve motorists’ range anxiety, “ Sreenath stated.
There are already enough charging stations in Bengaluru; however, the main concern is a lack of charging infrastructure on highways. Bescom is installing charging infrastructure along the Bengaluru-Chennai highway via Old Madras Road in places like Hoskote, Kolar, Mulbagal, and Nangali. The charging station will be located in Ramanagara on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.
“In these locations, the charging stations are situated within Bescom premises. Given that the Bengaluru-Mysuru section has an expressway, it may not require additional charging stations. Most electric cars have a battery range of approximately 250-300km when fully charged so more charging stations on highways will encourage more people to shift to EVs,” said Sreenath. The tariff fixed (per kWh) for AC charging is Rs 7.62; it is Rs 8.31 for DC charging.
Airport charging station in Bengaluru
Separately, work on the EV charging hub on the grounds of Kempegowda International Airport has begun.
“A total of 20 EVs will be able to be fast charged simultaneously at the hub. Siddartha Civil Infra Limited is taking up the work and is one of the largest EV charging hubs in the city. There is a high demand for charging points at the airport due to the increasing number of electric cabs/vehicles,” said a Bescom official.
BluSmart Mobility, a company that operates 100% electric cabs, opened a cab pickup zone at Kempegowda International Airport in March. Shaffer, another operator, provides electric SUVs for airport transfers, but it lacks a dedicated pickup zone at the airport. Another operator, ENVI (Malbork Technologies), provides airport passengers with electric cabs.
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